Sorry for the vague request!
I'm looking for yaoi where the plot involves an intelligent character addressing difficult situations with planning and good problem solving.

Examples:

• Steel Under Silk by Snob: The protaganist is avenging his father's murder by getting close to and manipulating the powerful man who killed him. It's a game of wits with the brilliant love interest and protagonist both constantly thinking 2 steps ahead.
• Payback by SAMK & Fujoking: Another revenge story. The protagonist enlists the help of the love interest (who has his own goals) to plot the takedown of the man who ruined his life. Both the protagonist and love interest are clearly intelligent.

Thank you!

Where the Dragon's Rain Falls

ooof brooooo this is spectacular and exactly what I wanted, thank you so much!! <3

Some ideas:

Park Hanhoo's Manager for sure fits, I think

How to Be the Chosen One - smart, smooth-talking fuck boi gets isekai'ed into a fantasy world and immediately begins hatching plans for personal gain and then maybe encounters larger problems in need of solving question mark? But he doesn't start out with a goal like in the examples you gave—he's smart, but all he wants to do is chill.

Though I'm not sure these fit your criteria either, you might check out Crush and Burn and Down and Dirty for intelligent protagonists who don't take their situations lying down.

BL fiend | tag gremlin | metadata yum

Wow, thank you so much for all the recs! 🥰 And Park Hanhoo's Manager was fantastic 💘

Yuuutsu na Asa a.k.a. Blue Morning! It's a historical BL set to a backdrop of political drama during the Meiji era in Japan. It follows a young aristocrat (Akihito Kuze), who is suddenly thrust into a position of power, and his very cunning and intellectual servant (Tomoyuki Katsuragi).
The story revolves around the political landscape they must navigate, each with their own goals and motivations. Both characters display great intellect and strategic thinking, so I think they both satisfy your requirements!

(However, please be aware that the series includes a non-con scene in the first volume.)

I think this fits
The Beast Must Die

https://www.mangaupdates.com/series/8bubqnk/the-beast-must-die

Thank you!! I've dropped them both before but perhaps unfairly, I'll give them both another try! 💟